Hello there
been laid up with a cold/cataragh - can't breathe type bug for the last couple of days and just started reading through this thread. Just thought to throw my thoughts in as well
So first welcome texcycle to this forum, there is a whole heap of information here when you become a full member.
Next I have a pazzle, cricut and black cat cougar and now a silver bullet (18") when I started out not feeling very creative the cricut was a great place to start, since all the design work had been done for me, then I started to realise how I would want one image but have to buy an entire cartridge. I quickly realised whislt there were lots of images , I always seemed to want something a little different, and for a while the Design Studio software helped there, pre the law suit I had discovered SCAL and worked out I how to cut individually designs with my circut. Post the law suit well I was just cross that the owners wanted to control how I could use my machine. My love affair dwindled. I next tried a pazzle, now that was in the early days, I know there is a lot more support for it and the new design features have taken it on again and it was very good at what it could do but I always seemed to want to cut something bigger - or more in one go than it could manage.
Onto my black cat - big expense and no doubt, I live in the UK and was lucky enough to be able to spend time with Dawn when I went to visit and see the Cat - fell in love immediately and yes came home with one in my boot. On the retreat we had last year I upgraded to the Silver Bullet and am thrilled. It is faster though the basic parts are very similar.
Next BIG point - these really aren't plug in and go machines, there is a learning curve with them all and they well repay the learning but when I first brought my CAT home I was stumped - I couldn't even work out how to cut a square - because I didnt understand how flexible the CAT was and where it cut - now at the time I was (and still am using SIGNCUT- which at the time came bundled with the machine). Now I understand it but then it confused me I even made a video -one of my first to explain to others where it cuts because it made no sense coming from the Cricut background. Now with SCAL I think it is easier to understand where that happens since you have the inbuilt graphics in the programme.
Once anyone buys a machine they have access (once registered ) to some great tutorials and videos in the learning section , to help you along the road. And there always seems to be someone around to come to your rescue if you are stuck.
One thing that I love about this forum, and the UK one, is that no-one is precious about which machine you are using ( you will see quite a lot about cameo's) or which mat/software or anything else really, everyone seems to come from a place of generousity of heart and wishing the best to help you succeed. Yes most of us love our machines and the service, but hey that doesnt mean I want to put your machine down if it works for you.
There is no question that is daft - cos I have asked all of them over time - and not reason to bang your head on a wall if stuck - because we all genuinely like to help and share our learning . We dont always know the answer but can often come up with a link to where that might be.....
Think your quilts look amazing - I know that Jo has put up a couple of videos on youtube showing the silver bullet cutting felt - and making an embossing folder.
These machines are a serious investment, and it will take time to learn how to get the best out of it, however i have used my to cut card/paper/vellum/vinyl/stencils and most anything else thin enough to get under the blade - emboss /engrave chocolate /leather /acrylic/metal and all with a few hiccups here and there but so much fun when I get it right - and I always holler when I am stuck .............
So another long post for you to wade through but I am trying to give a sense of why I ended here and why I make videos to help others - it is my way of repaying all the help I have received along the way.
What ever decision you make good luck with it - and continue to enjoy your wonderful artistic ability
Pandora
this is my channel - though it is mainly about software there is some video of the cat /bullet doing bits
http://www.youtube.com/user/newbiecrafter?feature=mhee